Flash light safety switch



April 18, 1933. G. B. PRATT FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Filed Apri1 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. B. PRATT April 18, 1933.

FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Filed April 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS.

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9W GOODR/CH B. PRATT Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOODRICH B. PRATT, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIQNOR TO BOND EECTRIC CORPORATION, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Application filed April 16, 1930. Serial No. 444,663,

The present invention relates, generally, to flash lamps and embodies, more specifically, an improved switch mechanism for lamps of this character to facilitate ready manipulation thereof, as well as provide for the prevention of accidental actuation of the switch mechanism when the flash lamp is not being used.

In existing flash lamp constructions, provision has been made in the switch mechanism for restraining the movement of the contact piece,such constructions recognizing the serious disadvantage of accidental lighting the lamp and causing the battery to be discharged as the result thereof. While, as

noted above, flash lamp switches have been provided which serve to prevent such accidental actuation thereof, the mechanism has usually been of such character that the looking means is insufliciently positive and serves only to restrain a force tending to actuate the switch. As a result, it frequently happens that the restraining or locking mechanism is overcome by accidental forces and the lamp is lighted. Where positive locking mechanism has been provided, the structure involved has been so complicated and difficult to manufacture that it has not proved successful commercially.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a switch mechanism or contact box for flash lamps which automatically locks itself in a predetermined number of positions, such positions affording either a positive lock against actuation of the flash lamp, a condition in which the lamp may be flashed, or a condition in which a steady light is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character in which the actuation thereof is positively controlled by a suitable locking mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch mechanism for flash lamps which is simple in construction and readily assembled.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section, partly broken away in the interest of clearness, and taken on a line passing through the axis of a flash lamp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the switch mechanism of the flash lamp of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows, the switch in this figure being shown in such position that flashing of the lamp may be effected.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3, showing the switch contact closed by suitable actuation of the mechanism.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the switch mechanism moved in such position that a steady light is afforded.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 66 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 7 -7 of Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a bottom view taken on line 88 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawings, a flash lamp is shown having a tube 1 to which bot tom cap 2 and hood 3 is secured in any well known fashion. A bulb 4 is carried in the hood and the usual reflector 5 and lens 6 is provided to provide a light beam of the desired characteristics. Within the tube a battery 7 is carried, the battery contacting with the bottom cap 2 through a spring 8 and with the bulb through its central terminal 9. Current flows from the battery through the bulb and bulb support 10 to an upper contact strip 11. A lower contact strip 12 is connected to the bottom cap 2 to complete the circuit through the spring 8 and battery shell. A switch box 13 is provided and may be secured to the tube 1 by suitable eyelets 14 which extend through flanges 15, formed on the switch box 13. These flanges are preferably shaped to conform to the surface of the tube 1 and the switch box constitutes, in effect, a shell having a peripheral rim 16 within whicha depressed portion 17 is formed.

is a button 23a which is riveted to the spring and extends through an aperture 24 which is formed in the bottom of the recess 1?. This button serves as a. convenient means for cam ming the contact spring into engagement with the eyelet as described hereinafter.

A slide 25, preferably formed of a single piece ofmetal, pressed into the desired shape, is providedwith spaced downwardly extending flanges 26 which arereceived within the parallel slotsf18 and turned over as at 27- to The mount the slide within the recess 17.

"slide is preferably formed with'a rounded finger engaging portlon and receives, withln such portion, 'a locking lever 28 having a downwardly extending locking portion 29 formed upon the extremity of the lever which lies within the slide 25. The lever is further provided with a cumming member 30 which lies within the recess 17 and may receive the pressure of the finger in'actuating the lamp. Intermediate the ends of the lever a reentrant portion 31 is formed, this portion passing :under a. cut-away edge 32 of the slide 25, as

clearly shown in Figures 3 and 1.-

The transverse slot 19 is so positioned withinthe recess 17 that theloclring end of the lever. 29 engages the slot when pressure on the end of the lever 30 is released. Under such condition, the spring contact finger 21 and button 28a forces the end 30 of the lever (28 upwardly and the locking end 29 downwardly into the slot 19. In this condition, it is impossible to move the slide to light the lamp without first depressing the lever 28 and disengaging its locking end 29 from the slot19, thus permitting sliding movement of the slide member 25. lit will be apparent that pressure upon the end of lever 28 flexes the spring contact member 21 and moves the contactmg portlonof such spring downwardly into engagement with the eyelet 20 to close the circuit of the lamp. This permits the lamp to be flashed without providing a steady light. If, after the end 30 of the lever 28 has been depressed the slide is moved forwardly,vthe end 30 engages the button 23 to flex the spring 21 and effectively maintain it in contact with the eyelet 20, as clearly shown in Figure 5. In this condition,

the circuitto the light bulb is closed and a steady light is afforded.

' contact 21 tobe moved into engageemnt with as a unit, alimited' rocking motion of the lever being permitted, as clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Then the slide is pushed toward the middle of the shell, the end of the lever drops into the transverse slot 19 and prevents forward movement of the slot until the outer portion 30 of the lever is depressed. This raises the projection onthe insideportion of the slide and disengages the end of the lever from the slot 19. .After applying the spring to the underportion of theshell, the entire box and switch structure is secured to the tube'. 1 by the eyelets 14. The bottom contact strip 12 is secured under one ofthe eyelets in order to complete electrical communication between the switch box and the bottom contact switch12. 1 v

For a flash contact, the outer end of the lever 28 is depressed, camming down the button 23 and causing the end of the spring the eyelets 20, thus completing-the circuit.

When the pressure on the end of the lever is removed the spring rises and the circuit is broken. For a steady light, the lever is pushed down and the slide moved forwardly. Depressing the lever disengages the latch and permits the slide to be moved, such movement driving the end 30 of lever 28 into camming engagement with the button 23 and maintaining the spring contact in a closed position. When the slide is movedback,the

projection 29, on the enclosed end of the lever snaps into the transverse slot 19 and locks the switch in open position. The rib or rim 16, around the top of the box, protects the switch actuating mechanism and prevents accidental depression of the lever.

' While the foregoing switch mechanism has been shown as adapted for use in connection with an insulating tube, it is obvious that metal tubes maybe used by providing the necessary insulation for the eyelet. 20.

Various changes in design and construction may be made and the relationship of the elements varied to suit various requirements and the invention is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim. as my invention:

1. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a button on the arm extending through an aperture in the box, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide and having a camming extension engaging the button, a recess in the box under the slide,

and an extension on the lever within the slide to maintain the button depressed when the slide is moved from a normal locked position.

2. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a button on the arm extending through an aperture in the box, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide and having a camming extension engaging the button, and an extension on the lever within the slide to maintain the button depressed when the slide is moved from a normal locked position.

3. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide, an extension on the lever within the slide, an aperture in the box engaged by the extension, a notch in the slide, a notch in the lever within which the slide is received and the slide in turn engaging the lever within the notch therein to fulcrum the lever thereon, and means to actu ate the arm by the lever.

4. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide, an extension on the lever within the slide, an aperture in the box engaged by the extension, a notch in the lever within which the slide is received to fulcrum the lever thereon, and means to actuate the arm by the lever.

5. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide, an extension on the lever within the slide, an aperture in the box engaged by the extension, and means to actuate the arm by the lever.

6. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide, an extension on the lever within the slide, a transverse slot in the box, the extension on the lever forming a detent to engage the slot, and means to actuate the arm by the lever.

7 A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever carried by the slide, an aperture in the box, means on the lever to engage within the aperture to lock the slide, and means to actuate the arm by the lever.

8. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box, a lever pivotally carried by the slide and movable therewith, locking means carried by the lever, means cooperating with the locking means carried by the box, and means carried by the lever actuating the arm to close the contitrzlts upon movement of the lever with the s 1 e.

device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm GOODRICH B. PRATT. 

